Missouri senator urges leniency for arrested MU fans

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A state senator is urging University of Missouri-Columbia officials not to pursue charges against football fans arrested for running onto the field after Saturday night’s win over Oklahoma.

Campus police, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department reported 30 arrests for trespassing. Thousands of people left the stands and carried the goal posts to a downtown bar.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reported Tuesday that state Sen. Kurt Schaefer says officials should drop the matter. Schaefer is a Republican from Columbia.

University spokeswoman Mary Jo Banken says the cases have been forwarded to prosecutors. Banken says fans are warned they’ll be arrested if they come onto the field.